When she says Simon instead, that pulls me up short. “Is he gay?” I ask. Her brow furrows more. “He is quite a cheerful lad.” “Wrong word. Queer?” “Odd? No, not really.” “Third time’s the charm. Homosexual?” That has her flushing in a way “premarital sex” didn’t. She casts a quick glance around and lowers her voice as she steers me away from others. “I presume that is more acceptable in your world, and I am glad to hear it.”
